Money, trade and gold

Economic prosperity

The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had been a time of great social change with increased prosperity. This was the case in England but even more so in Italy with the start of the modern banking system (see Social/Political Context > Renaissance Italy > Growing economic prosperity). The audience would certainly associate Italy with trade and even with the corruption that money often brings.

Money the corrupter

From the start of The White Devil we see how the inheritance of wealth has led to Lodovico's ruin, via orgies of drunkenness, gluttony and murder as he has worked his way through his inheritance. Conversely, in Act 1 scene 2 Flamineo complains of his lack of inheritance and claims it is the cause of his lack of morality. He needs to do whatever is necessary to make his way in the world.

This sense of money as a corrupting power continues through the play:

When Brachiano is dying he has a vision of Flamineo as a tightrope walker, keeping his balance with bags of money:

‘And there's a lawyer
In a whipt gown with velvet, stares and gapes
When the money will fall.' (Act 5 scene 3)

The readiness of the lawyers to catch any falling money expands the influence of money beyond the individual to society at large

It is gold which secures the services of Lodovico for Francisco's plot. He convinces Lodovico falsely that Monticelso is trying to bribe him

‘He sounds my depth with a golden plummet; (Act 4 scene 3)

A plummet to sound depth is normally made of lead, but here it is symbolically said to be made of gold to represent money

Flamineo sums this up in Act 3 scene 3 when he says ‘there's nothing so holy but money will corrupt and putrify it.'

This perspective on money bears out the biblical precept in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 that:

9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil:

Women as commodities

An important aspect of women in the play is their market value. A noble lady would be expected to come to marriage with a dowry and thus be an important economic asset to their husband:

It is significant in the trial that it is said that Camillo did not receive a dowry with Vittoria, for which he is regarded as a fool

In Act 5 scene 2 Zanche refers to the important information she intends to give to Mulinassar (Francisco) as a dowry:

‘So I may come to you in the same manner, and be better loved for my dowry than my virtue.'

Women are also described as something that can be traded:

This attitude is seen in Monticelso in Act 4 scene 1 when describing ‘fellows that are bawds to their own wives' when they are made bankrupt

Flamineo describes women as wares to be handled which can therefore be spoiled:

‘Will any mercer take another's ware
When once it is toused and sullied?'
(Act 4 scene 2)

Women, and especially Vittoria, are often criticised for their sexual immorality. This is described in terms of fraudulent or ‘counterfeit jewels'. During Vittoria's trial Monticelso explains what he means by a whore:

‘your rich whores
Are only treasuries by extortion fill'd,
And emptied by curs'd riot. …
… the guilty counterfeited coin
Which whosoe'er first stamps it brings in trouble
All that receive it'
(Act 3 scene 2)

When described in terms of money or trade women are seen as an asset or as something fraudulent.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.2Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. False Teachers and True Contentment Teach and urge these things.3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,4he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,5and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.6But godliness with contentment is great gain,7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.8But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.11But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,14to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,15which he will display at the proper time - he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,16who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.17As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,19thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.20O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge,21for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.